AGRICULTURAL AVIATION CONVENTION
Helio introduces Rat'ler
One type shown for the first
time (and the only completely
new aircraft at the
convention) was the Helio
Model 21a Rat'ler. This
prototype combines the high-
lift wing, tail unit, and 400
h.p. Lycoming IO-720 power-
plant of the Helio Courier 800
with a new fuselage (see Flight
three-view general arrange
ment drawing on this page).
Emphasising the Rat'ler's
rugged construction, short-
field performance, and
claimed low cost, Helio sells
the machine as "Your partner
in safety, your partner in pro
fit". A batch of 50 airframes is
being laid down, with the first
ten machines priced at
$100,000. Subsequent exam
ples carry a $120,000 tag.
Certification of the new
aircraft is expected "within
120 days", and up to 50 a year
could be produced, says Loren
Abbott, whose Aerospace
Technology Industries com
pany bought Helio some six
months ago.
Features of Rat'ler include
glassfibre wingtips designed
to reduce vortices, a new
wing carry-through section,
and composite landing-gear
struts. The aircraft and con
trols are otherwise all metal,
except for the fabric covered
ailerons. These have been
retained because Helio wants
to preserve the light roll
control. Subsequently, the
company hopes to investigate
composite ailerons and slats.
Abbott expects that ten air
craft will have been produced
by June. The strongest
markets outside the USA are
likely to be South America
and Europe. Helio is currently
negotiating with China. The
manufacturer is working on a
number of turbine-engined
prototypes, at least one of
which is a floatplane.
FLIGHT International, 5 January 1985